DE102012105350A1 - Valve for a beverage filling plant, preferably a valve for a filling element of a beverage filling plant - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a valve (1) for a beverage filling installation, preferably for a filling element (8) of a beverage filling installation, comprising a valve body (2) with at least one inlet channel (30) and at least one outlet channel (40) associated with the inlet channel (30), wherein an actuator (5) having a passageway (56) for selectively establishing fluid communication between the inlet port (30) and the outlet port (40) is rotatable about a rotational axis (500) in the valve body (2) and the actuator (5) ) is alternatively rotatable in a neutral position, wherein the passage channel (56) extends parallel to the axis of rotation (500) through the actuating element (5) therethrough.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a valve for a beverage filling plant, preferably a valve for a filling element of a beverage filling plant, for example for switching a product stream or for switching a gas stream and / or another fluid stream for rinsing, venting, evacuating, biasing, relieving and / or cleaning a Container or filler.

State of the art

In conventional beverage bottling plants, valves are used in different areas to control fluid flows. In particular, valves are provided in the region of the filling element of a beverage filling plant, for example as a product valve for switching the product stream into the container to be filled. Furthermore, valves are usually provided on the filling element for gas management. Thus, for example, when filling containers with carbonated drinks, it is customary to pre-tension the container prior to filling with a clamping gas, for example CO ₂ , in order to avoid excessive foaming of the carbonated beverage to be filled when it is being filled into the container and correspondingly to a safe and defined To provide filling. After such a filling operation with a prestressed container, in particular when filled with a carbonated beverage, the container must then be relieved again defined to prevent the breakage of the container by a sudden relief and to prevent uncontrollable foaming or splashing out of the drink in the pressure relief , Furthermore, it is known to pre-rinse the respective container to be filled with product with a purge gas in order to displace atmospheric oxygen from the container, in order to correspondingly increase the durability of the product to be filled.

These processes of switching different product, gas and fluid streams in the filling member have hitherto been carried out via diaphragm valves, which are pneumatically switched. In this case, an electronic filling valve control outputs an electrical signal, which brings a so-called pilot valve for switching. This pilot valve then acts on the actual diaphragm valve via compressed air lines with compressed air to switch the product, the clamping gas, the purge gas, the discharge and other operations in the filling member. Correspondingly, the corresponding diaphragm valve in turn closes or opens the corresponding product or gas channel on the basis of the compressed air pressure controlled via the pilot valve.

The electronic control unit and the respective pilot valves are usually provided on a central control tower of the filler carousel of the beverage filling plant.

The control of the respective diaphragm valves in the filling by means of compressed air supplied via the corresponding pneumatic hoses leads, inter alia due to different lengths of pneumatic hoses at different reaction times of the valves. Due to the construction of, for example, a rotary filler, different lengths of pneumatic hoses are used to control the valves in the different filling members, so that correspondingly the diaphragm valves controlled via shorter hoses switch faster than the diaphragm valves actuated over longer hoses. These switching time variances can lead to inaccuracies in the filling process.

In addition, by using compressed air to control the diaphragm valves according to compressed air in the filling reach, which may be undesirable under hygienic aspects.

The provision of compressed air for actuating the pneumatic actuators also requires comparatively much energy. In addition, two valves, namely the actual diaphragm valve and the associated pilot valve, for controlling the respective fluid flows are present, whereby the error rate increases.

Mechanical valves having a valve body and a rotatable valve plug accommodated in the valve body, in which a radial through-hole for introducing a fluid flow is introduced, are disclosed, for example, in US Pat DE 1 527 229 U described.

Presentation of the invention

Based on this known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a valve for a filling member, which leads to a simplified construction of a beverage filling plant.

This object is achieved by a valve with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments emerge from the subclaims.

Accordingly, a valve for a beverage filling plant, preferably for a filling element of a beverage filling plant, proposed, comprising a valve body having at least one input channel and at least one output channel associated with the output channel, wherein an actuating element with a passageway for selectively establishing a fluid communication between the input port and the output port is rotatable about an axis of rotation disposed in the valve body, and the actuator is alternatively rotatable in a neutral position. According to the invention, the passage channel extends parallel to the axis of rotation through the actuating element.

Due to the corresponding design of the valve to the effect that the actuator in different rotational positions can cause different switching states of the valve, a control over a complex pneumatic, as it was necessary in the diaphragm valves of the prior art, no longer required. Rather, the valve provided in this way can be moved by means of a simple electrical control, for example via a stepper motor, an electric motor or an electric cylinder, in the different rotational positions. Thus, a direct electrical control of the respective media or gas flows can be achieved. In particular, can be dispensed in this way on the conventional structure based on a pilot valve and the downstream pneumatic line for applying the compressed air to the respective diaphragm valves for actual product or gas control. Rather, the respective product or gas streams can be controlled directly with the valve via the said electrical drive means. Thus, moreover, the entire structure of the beverage filling plant can be simplified, as can be dispensed with the pilot valves and the elaborate pneumatic piping.

The arrangement of the passage channel parallel to the axis of rotation results in a particularly preferred for use in a filling member geometry in which an electric drive can attach particularly preferred and thus can easily achieve a direct electrical control of the valve in the filling member. The geometry preferably allows the arrangement of valve and its drive in a flexible manner, so that the very limited space of the Füllorgans account can be taken.

The respective valve control device can respond directly to the electrical drive, via which the described valve is actuated, and thus achieve an immediate opening or closing of the respective gas or media channels. Thus, due to the omission of the known from the prior art, different lengths of pneumatic hoses and switching time variances can be reduced or completely avoided, so that the circuit of the respective fluids is clearly specified.

The proposed valve in this way is also particularly simple in its technical structure, so that a reliable operation even at high pressures and high switching frequencies even when used in the harsh conditions of a beverage filling plant is easily possible, and, due to the advantageous flow behavior within the valve Maintenance and sterilization of the valve, which is particularly important in the bottling of beverages, is easily possible.

With the proposed structure is also achieved that a gas or product passage through the corresponding channels only takes place when the actuator is connected to the passageway accordingly. A reliable seal in the respective closed positions of the channels can be achieved.

In a preferred refinement, at least one first input channel with a first output channel assigned thereto and a second input channel with a second output channel assigned thereto are provided in the valve body, wherein either the first input channel with the first output channel, or the second input channel with the second output channel via the first output channel Passage passage of the actuating element can be brought into fluid communication with each other, or closes the actuator in neutral position all channels. The alternative switching positions of the actuating element provided in this way allow reliable switching between two media or gas lines by means of a simple construction of the valve. For example, it can be switched between a clamping gas channel for acting on the container to be filled with clamping gas, and a vent for subsequent discharge of the prevailing overpressure in the container, so that a malfunction can be ruled out to the effect that the clamping gas at the same time open venting into the container to be filled flows. This reliable alternative circuit is formed when exactly one passage channel is formed in the adjusting element, which extends correspondingly parallel to the axis of rotation of the adjusting element. It goes without saying that even more pairs of input and output channels can be provided - depending on the requirements of each beverage bottling plant.

In order to achieve reliable switching between different gas and / or media channels, the valve body comprises the same number of input and output channels, the each are uniquely assigned. In other words, each input channel is assigned exactly one output channel, so that an unambiguous assignment of the input channels to the output channels is achieved.

The rotationally symmetrical actuating element is preferably designed as a cylindrical disk, in which the passage channel is parallel to the cylinder axis, but eccentrically to the cylinder axis introduced as a through hole. By the expression of the control element as a cylindrical disk, in addition to a simple cleaning possibility, also the application of a corresponding sealing element simplified, which must be designed accordingly only as a sealing washer, nevertheless to achieve a reliable sealing of the input channels and the output channels in the respective switching positions.

According to the invention, in order to form a reliable sealing of the neutral position or the switching positions corresponding to the number of input and output channels, it is particularly preferred to seal the actuating element via at least one seal with respect to the valve body.

In a further preferred embodiment, at least one input channel and at least one output channel extend parallel to the axis of rotation or to the cylinder axis of the actuating element, so that the respective input channel with its associated output channel and the passage in the actuator at a corresponding rotational position of the actuating element a continuous, parallel Forming the cylinder axis extending channel.

In a further preferred embodiment, at least one connection channel, which is in fluid communication with an input channel and / or an output channel, is provided in the valve body, wherein the at least one connection channel is arranged at an angle to the respective input channel and / or output channel. Through the respective connection channel, a flexible connection geometry can be provided, by means of which the valve can be adapted to the geometry predetermined by the filling element, for example, to arrange the respective feeding and discharging media channels on the same end face of the valve body. In this way, a connection pattern can be achieved in a beverage bottling plant, in which can be dispensed with extensive piping, and accordingly an easy-to-clean design of the valve can be achieved.

In a preferred variant, the respective connection channels extend at right angles to the input channels and output channels in order to be able to save installation space and to allow the connection channel of the inlet channel and the connection channel of the outlet channel to emerge from the valve body at the same end face of the valve body. In this way it can be achieved that a simple connection of the respective connection channels to the other components of the filling member can be achieved and, for example, by simply screwing on a, corresponding supply and discharge channels bearing valve carrier a complete connection of the valve with the other components of the Filling organ is achieved.

In a further preferred embodiment return means are provided, which bring the actuating element in a predefined state, for example, when the corresponding actuator for the actuating element fails. Such a return means may be provided for example in the form of a mechanical tension spring, which rotates the actuator, for example in the neutral position in which all input channels are closed by the actuator. Another predefined state may, for example, be a position in which an input channel is connected to its associated output channel via the passage channel. The respective position in which the return means rotates the actuator depends on the particular application. In an alternative to a mechanical tension spring, a corresponding mechanism can also be achieved via an electrical energy store in combination with a power failure detection, wherein in a power failure, which leads to a failure of the respective electric drive for the actuator, the actuating element by means of the electrical energy storage in the predetermined state is rotated.

The application of a corresponding return means is particularly important in a product valve or a valve, by means of which a container is supplied with gas, of great importance in order to prevent the product or the gas from flowing uncontrollably in the event of failure of certain system components or in the event of a power failure.

By using the corresponding proposed valve, in particular in combination with a corresponding electric drive, the required energy consumption for the operation of the respective valves within a beverage bottling plant can continue to be significantly reduced compared with the use of compressed air. This can in particular also be achieved by performing a current reduction or switching off the respective drives in the end positions of the respective valves. In other words the drives are de-energized when the valve is in the respective position required for the switching state.

A further increase in efficiency can be achieved in that two adjacent valves are controlled via the same electric drive and are preferably moved back into a neutral position via the same return means. For fixed switching sequences can be achieved by a corresponding rotational orientation of the individual actuating elements relative to each other in this way a reliable and direct circuit with only a single drive.

The above object is further achieved by a filling member of a beverage filling plant for filling containers, wherein the filling member comprises at least one valve for controlling a product flow and / or a gas flow, wherein the valve is formed in the manner described above.

Brief description of the figures

Preferred further embodiments and aspects of the present invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. Showing:

1 a side view of a valve for a beverage filling plant in a schematic sectional view, preferably for a filling member;

2 a schematic, sectional plan view of the in 1 shown valve; and

3 a schematic diagram of the proposed valve.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

In the following, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the figures. In this case, identical, similar or equivalent elements in the different figures are denoted by identical reference numerals and a repeated description of these elements will be omitted in the following description in part in order to avoid redundancies.

In 1 is a schematic, sectional side view and in 2 a corresponding schematic, sectional plan view of the proposed valve 1 shown. In the 1 and 2 Here are three equal valves 1 , denoted as a), b), and c), shown juxtaposed, with the three valves 1 in the 1 and 2 each occupy different switching states. In the following, however, it is mainly the case in the 1a ) and 2a ) shown valve 1 Referenced.

A valve body 2 is provided, which in the in the 1 and 2 shown embodiment, an upper portion 20 and a lower section 22 having. In the valve body 2 are in the upper section 20 a first input channel 30 and a second input channel 32 provided, and in the lower section 22 of the valve body 2 are according to the upper input channels 30 . 32 associated first and second output channels 40 . 42 intended. In other words, the respective mutually assigned input channels are located 30 . 32 and output channels 40 . 42 exactly opposite to order by means of the adjusting element described below 5 be brought into fluid communication with each other.

At the entrance channels 30 . 32 are the fluids to be switched, for example product or gas, and at the output channels 40 . 42 are then switched on the fluids.

Between the first input channel 30 and the second input channel 32 on one side of the valve body 2 , and the first output channel 40 and the second output channel 42 on the other side of the valve body 2 is an actuator 5 arranged, which is an axis of rotation 500 around which it is rotatable. The rotation axis 500 of the actuating element 5 extends parallel to the extension of the input channels 30 . 32 and the output channels 40 . 42 ,

The actuator 5 is in the embodiment shown as a cylindrical disc 50 formed, which via corresponding pins 52 . 54 rotatable in the valve body 2 is held. The rotation axis 500 of the actuating element 5 coincides with the cylinder axis of the cylinder disc 50 together and the actuator 5 is with respect to the axis of rotation 500 formed substantially rotationally symmetrical.

The actuator 5 in the form of the cylindrical disc 50 has a passageway 56 on, which for example in the 1b and 1c is particularly easy to recognize. The passageway 56 extends as a straight passage bore through the cylinder disc 50 parallel to the direction of the axis of rotation 500 through and is eccentric to the axis of rotation 500 ,

To a simple rotation of the actuator 5 to allow in the valve body is the actuator 5 preferably formed rotationally symmetrical. In an embodiment not shown here, the actuating element 5 but also not be rotationally symmetrical. Because of that the passageway 56 in the direction of axis of rotation 500 through the actuator 5 extends through, is only the dimensional accuracy of the end faces of the actuating element 5 important for the sealing of the valve, but not the scope of the actuator 5 , In contrast to the valve plug known from the prior art, this results in a simpler design of the valve 1 ,

By appropriate rotation of the cylinder disc 50 can, as in the 1b respectively 2 B shown, the first input channel 30 and the first output channel 40 over the passageway 56 be connected fluidly with each other. In a corresponding further rotation of the rotationally symmetrical actuating element 5 , as in 1c respectively 2c shown, the second input channel 32 with the second output channel 42 also over the passageway 56 be connected fluidly. In these two rotational positions extending from the respective input channel 30 . 32 , Output channel 40 . 42 and the passageway 56 formed, continuous and fluid-conducting channel parallel to the axis of rotation 500 of the actuating element 5 ,

In the in the 1a and 2a shown position is the passageway 56 of the actuating element 5 switched so that neither the first input channel 30 still the second input channel 32 with the passageway 56 are connected so that all input channels 30 . 32 and output channels 40 . 42 closed against each other. This position of the control element 5 or the valve 1 is also referred to as the neutral position.

To reliably close the input channels 30 . 32 or the output channels 40 . 42 in the in the 1a and 2a shown neutral position of the valve 1 reach and in the open switch positions a reliable fluid or gas line between the respective input channels 30 . 32 and the output channels 40 . 42 to obtain are sealing elements 60 . 62 at the respective end faces of the cylindrical disc 50 of the actuating element 5 provided, which in each case a seal between the actuator 5 and the corresponding areas of the valve body 2 provide.

The actuator 5 is preferably by means of an electric drive not shown in the different rotational positions and thus in the different switching positions of the valve 1 emotional. For this purpose, for example, on the pin 54 of the actuating element 5 a servo motor, such as a stepper motor, are flanged, or a corresponding rotational movement can be achieved via a correspondingly eccentrically damaged electric cylinder. Other direct electrical drives for rotation of the actuator 5 are also possible.

Furthermore, a return means may be provided, via which the respective valve 1 is rotated back into a predetermined switching position when the electric drive for the actuator 5 for some reason fails. In particular, in the case of a voltage loss or power failure, the actuator can 5 then be rotated in a predetermined switching position, for example in the in 1a shown neutral position. This is of particular importance when using the respective input channels 30 . 32 Gas or product is fed into a container, which in an uncontrolled open the valve 1 in the event of a power failure would flow out unchecked.

As a restoring means can serve for example a mechanical spring, by means of which the actuating element 5 is turned back to the neutral position. In an alternative, an electric current storage, for example in the form of a rechargeable battery, may be provided here, which is the actuating element 5 in the case of a power failure, which is detected for example via a power failure detection in the respective electric drive, controlled in the respective neutral position moves.

In the 1 and 2 it can be seen that the respective input channels 30 . 32 as well as output channels 40 . 42 via corresponding connection channels 70 . 72 . 74 . 76 to a front side 24 of the valve body 2 be guided. This characteristic of the connection channels 70 . 72 . 74 . 76 is especially in 2 clearly visible. Accordingly, the connection channels 70 . 72 . 74 . 76 substantially perpendicular to the input channels 30 . 32 and output channels 40 . 42 arranged such that through the connection channels 70 . 72 . 74 . 76 defined connections on a single face 24 of the valve body 2 are arranged. The valve body 2 can be correspondingly easily connected to a valve carrier with appropriate gas and media guides a Füllorgans.

3 schematically shows a control, wherein the valve 1 , which in the 1 and 2 shown here for switching product in a filling organ 8th and / or for switching from the corresponding gas streams in a filling member 8th is provided. A corresponding electronic filling valve control 80 is provided which directly and immediately the valve 1 or drives the respective electric drive. In this way, the provision of elaborate compressed air lines and a pilot valve and the provision of large amounts of compressed air is avoided, whereby on the one hand energy can be saved and on the other reduced switching time variances or can be avoided. In addition, no compressed air is entered into a clean room or aseptic room of a corresponding Aseptikfüllers.

In addition to the first and second input channels shown 30 . 32 or first and second output channels 40 . 42 In other embodiments, of course, further input and output channels in the manner described in the valve 1 be introduced to provide other switching options. Accordingly, the valve indicated is a multiway valve which, however, always connects a dedicated input channel to a dedicated output channel associated therewith. This is not the case, for example, in the known three-way valves, in which an input channel can be switched, for example, to two different output channels.

As far as applicable, all the individual features illustrated in the individual embodiments can be combined and / or exchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Valve

2

valve body

20

upper portion of the valve body

22

lower portion of the valve body

24

front

30

input channel

32

input channel

40

output channel

42

output channel

5

actuator

50

cylindrical disk

52, 54

spigot

56

Passageway

500

axis of rotation

60, 62

sealing element

70, 72

connecting channel

74, 76

connecting channel

8th

Filling head

80

electronic filling valve control

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 1527229 U [0008]

Claims (14)

Valve ( 1 ) for a beverage filling plant, preferably for a filling element ( 8th ) a beverage filling plant, comprising a valve body ( 2 ) with at least one input channel ( 30 ) and at least one of the input channel ( 30 ) associated output channel ( 40 ), wherein an actuating element ( 5 ) with a passageway ( 56 ) for selectively establishing a fluid connection between the input channel ( 30 ) and the output channel ( 40 ) about a rotation axis ( 500 ) rotatable in the valve body ( 2 ) is arranged, and the actuating element ( 5 ) is alternatively rotatable in a neutral position, characterized in that the passage channel ( 56 ) parallel to the axis of rotation ( 500 ) by the actuator ( 5 ) extends therethrough. Valve ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the valve body ( 2 ) at least one first input channel ( 30 ) with a first output channel ( 40 ) and at least one second input channel ( 32 ) with a second output channel ( 42 ), wherein either the first input channel to the first output channel, or the second input channel to the second output channel via the passage channel ( 56 ) of the actuating element ( 5 ) can be brought into fluid communication with each other. Valve ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating element ( 5 ) a cylinder axis having a cylinder axis ( 50 ), in which the passage channel ( 56 ) parallel to the axis of rotation ( 500 ) forming cylinder axis and is arranged eccentrically to the cylinder axis. Valve ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element ( 5 ) over at least one parallel to the axis of rotation ( 500 ) extending pin ( 52 . 54 ) in the valve body ( 2 ) is held rotatable. Valve ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element ( 5 ) via at least one seal ( 60 . 62 ) relative to the valve body ( 2 ) is sealed. Valve ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one in the valve body ( 2 ) provided connection channel ( 70 . 72 . 74 . 76 ) with an input channel ( 30 . 32 ) and / or an output channel ( 40 . 42 ) is in fluid communication with the port ( 70 . 72 . 74 . 76 ) at an angle to the respective input channel ( 30 . 32 ) or output channel ( 40 . 42 ), preferably at a right angle. Valve ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one input channel ( 30 . 32 ) and the at least one output channel ( 40 . 42 ) parallel to the axis of rotation ( 500 ) of the actuating element ( 5 ) in the valve body ( 2 ) are formed. Valve ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element ( 5 ) is connected to an electric drive, preferably with a servomotor, a stepper motor or a control cylinder. Valve ( 1 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the electric drive of the actuating element ( 5 ) directly with an electronic filling valve control ( 80 ) connected is. Valve ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a return means for returning the actuating element ( 5 ) is provided in a predetermined switching position, preferably in a neutral position. Valve ( 1 ) according to claim 10, characterized in that the return means is provided by means of a mechanical spring and / or an electrical energy storage and a corresponding control. Valve ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two adjacent valves ( 1 ) are driven via the same drive and are preferably zurückbewegbar on the same return means in a neutral position. Filler ( 8th ) a beverage filling plant for filling containers, comprising at least one valve for controlling a product stream and / or a gas stream, characterized in that the valve ( 1 ) is designed according to one of the preceding claims. Filler ( 8th ) according to claim 13, characterized in that the valve ( 1 ) is directly connected to an electronic filling valve control.

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